If the Dems think that they can rely on Lieberman to vote for withdrawal from Iraq, or to put legislative pressure on the administration and, in turn, Israel to seek a negotiated settlement to the Palestinian conflict, they are dreaming.
Lieberman has consistently backed right-wingers in this country and Israel who opt for military solutions over negotiations. By courting Lieberman, Dems risk failing the trust of Americans who voted them in to extract us from the Middle East quagmire.
The Dems would do better to court moderate Republicans who’ve weighed the costs of hardline Middle East policies. Placing their hopes in Lieberman will likely leave the Dems holding the bag come 2008 for an even worse mess in the Middle East at which point Lieberman will switch parties so McCain or Giuliani can name him running mate.
Keith Wimer
Los Osos
This article appears in Nov 21-28, 2006.